Anukul Roy, India U-19 World Cup winning team’s top wicket-taker, did not disappoint his family members by putting up a stellar show in the final against Australia. Roy family is also busy preparing for the marriage of his cousin.

Anukul Roy (L) picked two wickets for 32 runs for India against Australia in the final of the ICC U-19 cricket World Cup 2018.(Getty Images)

Saturday brought double celebrations for the family of India U-19 World Cup winning cricketer Anukul Roy. On the sidelines of preparations for marriage of his cousin at Uma Narayan Palace, a marriage hall situated on Samastipur-Mohanpur road, 85 km north-east of Patna, all eyes were glued to TV since morning to watch Anukul’s performance. (India vs Australia, ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018 - HIGHLIGHTS)

No sooner the winning runs were scored, sweets like gulab jamun and kalakand were distributed, people danced and crackers were burst at the marriage venue. “It’s a matter of pride for all of us. We wish that he makes it to the senior Indian team now,” said a co-villager.

Anukul hails from Bhirha, a remote village in Rosera block of Samastipur district in Bihar but had to shift to Jharkhand to pursue his cricketing dreams. He studied in Samastipur till class 8, before shifting to Jamshedpur.

His father, Sudhakar Roy, an advocate, was ecstatic and busy receiving congratulatory calls. Chief minister Nitish Kumar joined the people in lauding Anukul and congratulated his parents on phone. “We are extremely happy with the way he has performed. His dedication and hard work has paid off,” he said.

Anukul Roy’s family after India won the ICC Under-19 cricket World Cup 2018.
(HT Photo)

The marriage venue, where the entire family and friends had assembled, became a cricketing arena. A large screen and a projector beamed the match live from New Zealand, and family members occupied vantage positions to see ‘the son of soil’ perform.

The left-arm spinner brought family on feet in the 25th over when he removed Australian batsman Param Uppal and followed it up with the wicket of Australian top scorer J Melro in the 45th over.

His stellar performance has made the Jharkhand State Cricket Association proud. “We are very proud of Anukul’s achievement. He has made Jharkhand proud. One of our coaches groomed him from the day he spotted the extraordinary talent in the young lad. Once he is back, we will organise a grand felicitation programme in his honour,” said Ajay Shahdeo, vice president of JSCA.